Darjeeling, a hill station in West Bengal, India, is surrounded by rolling hills and majestic mountains. Its temperate climate, with cool summers and mild winters, makes it a pleasant destination. Known for its tea plantations and stunning views of the Himalayas, Darjeeling offers a refreshing escape from the heat and humidity of the plains. From alpine vegetations in the hills of Singalila range to scenic landscape of diverse topography, Darjeeling is a perfect getaway for nature lovers. The city is also experiences heavy rainfall in the monsoon with 3100mm of rainfall annually.
Darjeeling is one of the most popular places in Northeast India and follows a rich culture which it expresses through its festivals, religious gatherings, hospitality and arts. The people are friendly and are always there to help you. Nepali and English are the most spoken language followed by Hindi and Bengali. The people are fond of music and dance forms that are widely performed during festivals and musical events. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in remote areas along with tourism. From ancient cultural and religious beliefs to diverse population, Darjeeling is a city that offer tourist with a glimpse of colonial era with a touch of Himalayan hospitality.
Darjeeling is the hub for food lovers and people in love with street foods. From the unique taste of Darjeeling Tea to soulful foods such as Shaphaley, the city offers a broad category of delicious dishes such as momo, Thukpa, Sel Roti and many more. The city is also renowned for Darjeeling tea, regarded as one of the best variants of tea in the entire world due to which it has also been awarded with a GI (Geographical Index) tag and is the first of its kind in the country. Following are the list of must try food dishes of Darjeeling.
Festivals are a major part of the cultural tradition of Darjeeling that is widely celebrated through musical events and folk dance forms. Dasai and Tihar is the major festival of the people of Darjeeling that is widely celebrated across the city. The city inhabits diverse cultures and therefore includes festivals from every religion and community. Majority of the festivals are rooted to Hindu religion however, the city also host numerous events and festivals from others religion with equal zest and zeal. Here are some of the most popular festivals celebrated in the hills of Darjeeling.
Air : Darjeeling does not have an airport, however, Bagdogra airport is the nearest one located at a distance of around 70 km from the city. The airport connects Darjeeling with the rest of the Indian states.
Train : Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is the most loved mode of transport that offers safe travelling to Darjeeling while admiring the beauty of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Road : Travelling to Darjeeling through roadways is also common among travellers and is hugely popular among tourists due to its affordability and ease of access. The city of Darjeeling is located on National Highway 55 and can be easily reached by hopping into a taxi from Siliguri located at a distance of 62 Kms.